Southwark Council has agreed a budget with nearly £14 million worth of cuts and ‘efficiency savings’ for the next financial year, as the realities of austerity continue to bite.

The borough has seen an £8.6 million cut in funding from central government for the next financial year, with the council approving plans to fill a gap of close to £20 million.

This includes cuts and savings across directorates including adult social care and children’s services as well as back-office savings and job cuts.

The council also plan to collect close to £5 million from ‘fees and charges’ including controlled parking zones and charges for garden wastes.

Plans also include a charge for businesses open at night to contribute to cleaning up alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour.

Speaking at a full council meeting, cabinet member for finance, Cllr Victoria Mills, said the council has had to cut £250 million from its budget since 2010.

“Its hard to feel delighted about a council budget in the tenth successive year of cuts,” she said.

“Others may feel hopeful about an end to austerity but on the horizon, I can see an independent spending review [and] a local government funding review. Control of that by a chaotic Tory government leaves me feeling huge uncertainty.”

She said Brexit would compound budget issues, with an economic downturn expected.

She said the decision to raise council tax by 2.99 per cent was necessary to raise funds, with “deeper cuts to services…the wrong choice.”

This will see band D properties charged £1,066.27.

Council leader Cllr Peter John said schemes like free gym and swim and free theatre tickets for all primary school children “demonstrates our Labour values”.

The Liberal Democrat opposition said more money could be saved by cutting Southwark Life, the council’s quarterly magazine, and reducing the amount of council press officers.